Tale 56- The Heart-Filled Lake

 The two girls walked into a local shop, Sarafelle being drawn in by all the beautiful clothing. With a little encouragement from the Traveler, she decided to try some on, opting for more masculine clothing than she was used to. Grabbing a waistcoat, blouse and some trousers off the shelves, she got changed and peeked out from behind the curtain, the Traveler finding herself curious about how her friend looked. Revealing herself, the Traveler took in the sight- Sara’s form fit the clothes perfectly, appearing slightly taller than she did in the oversized maid uniform and looking particularly dashing in the waistcoat. The Traveler felt something strange, feeling her cheeks going a little pink as she looked at Sara’s new outfit, and her words seemed to get stuck but she forced them out nonetheless. “You…look beautiful.” she whispered, Sara immediately going bright red and running back behind the curtain, the Traveler putting a hand over her mouth and trying to hide a few giggles. It was true, Sara did look particularly beautiful in those clothes, slightly reminding the Traveler of the illustrations of princes in old books she and her brothers would read as children. Putting the clothes back on the shelves, they were about to leave when the shopkeeper stopped them, calling Sarafelle over for a second. Nervous, the girl approached, the man smiling and offering to tell her something she might find useful. The Traveler listened from afar to the shopkeeper telling the tale of ‘the Heart-Filled Lake.’

‘Once upon a time, there was a lake which was filled with hearts. There was a legend surrounding the waters, claiming that those who took a heart from the lake were able to find one to love in a few days, if fortune shone down upon them. The hearts were warm and full of light, capable of drawing one closer to that which they adored, and possessed the magical ability to transform the luck of the one that plucked them. A young man once took one, finding himself berated by many women, and was granted a lover in the next few days, the two having the most joyful of marriages and many children.’

The shopkeeper smiled down at Sarafelle, who looked slightly confused about what he wanted to convey with the tale, before he glanced over to the Traveler, who was too busy writing to notice. “You’re a fine young lady. Maybe you should try pluck a heart from the lake. You never know what could happen.” he smiled, Sarafelle being surprised and blushing slightly. Twirling her hair in her fingers, she sighed, before a wistful smile crept over her lips. “I don’t think I need one. My heart’s already fallen for someone.” she admitted, the shopkeeper giving a surprised look. “Must be a fine young man.” he mused, Sarafelle hiding a slight chuckle. “Thank you for the tale, sir.” she replied, the shopkeeper tipping his hat as the two walked outside.

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